TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The deadline is at hand for Florida education commissioner hopefuls.

They have through Friday to apply. The State Board of Education then is scheduled to interview finalists on Dec. 11 and choose the new commissioner the next day.

Former Commissioner Gerard Robinson resigned in August after about a year on the job. He cited separation from his family in Virginia, where he had been that state's education secretary. His wife, a law professor, was unable to find a similar job in Tallahassee.

The board already has extended the application deadline once - by two months - and has reserved the right to order an additional delay if it isn't satisfied with the choices.

A search firm is expected to forward a list of finalists to the board next week.